Multi-latch dual production well packer



June 17, 1969 Filed Dec. 4, 1967 J.H. CURRENT 3,450,205

MULTI-LATCH DUAL PRODUCTION WELL PACKER sheet 2 of 4 Il 42W I X 55 bw E, Lil' Abflug@ JA ,477-0 Nfl/J' June 17, 1969 1H. CURRENT 3,450,205

MULTI-LATCH DUAL PRODUCTIN WELL PACKER June ".1969

J; H. CURRENT ,l MULTI-LATCH DUAL PRODUCTION WELL PACKER Filed Dec. 4, 1967 Sheet 4. of4

United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 166--189 7 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The present invention is directed to the means of attaching pipe strings to a duel packer. It incorporates a variety of attaching means in the packer passageways which receive the strings, whereby the packer may be used with four, ltive or even six diiferent types of Stingers for each string.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed and gas wells, and packers and the to these packers.

Solely by way of example, yone application of the present invention would be in dual 'completion wells which are quite common in todays Idrilling industry, as are the dual packers used in these well-s. These packers provide a seal Iabove the upper production level or stage and allow the passage of a long or lower level string to the lower production level which is, in turn, separated from the upper level lby a single string packer. A second or short string connects with the Idual packer to allow production from the upper level. For simplicity, the present invention will be primarily ydiscussed `as [applied to the short string of a dual packer although it may, of course, be applied to either or both strings.

Various types attaching means `are used on the short strings for attachment to the dual packers. These strings carry at their lowermost ends IStingers which are the actual part of the string that connects to the packers. Some stingers are .connected simply by telescoping them into a passageway in the packer. Others have threads for threaded engagement with mating threads in the packer passageway. Other means of attaching are collet and mating slot, collet with threads, shear pins and J-latches.

The problem that is presented is -that certain means of attaching the stinger to the packer `are unacceptable in certain well drilling equipment. For example, the use of a threaded arrangement would, in some apparatus, loosen other connections as the stinger lis screwed into or out of the packer. It is, therefore, necessary to decide which llatching arrangement is rbe'st for each particular use and to then match the stinger with the type of connection on the packer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problem of matching equipment by providing a dual packer having structure which presents a variety of connecting means. This renders the packer of the present to the drilling of oil more particularly, to the use of dual apparatus used `to attach the pipe strings invention usable with lan equal variety of Stingers and overcomes, to a great extent, the pro'blem of matching the stinger and packer latching means.

The present invention incorporates, for example, a passageway tfor telescoping connection of a stinger to the packer, as well las, thread-s lfor threaded engagement, slots for engagement of la collet, and openings for insertion of shear pins or pins to be used with Ia .l-latch on the stinger.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide improved latehing means for packers.

It is another object of the present invention to produce a dual packer having plunalitie's of attaching means for the connection of the long and short string Stingers.

A still lfurther object is to provide such attaching means on packers which are inexpensive to manufacture and are simple in design and operation.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, like character references designate like parts throughout the several views which are as follows:

FIGURE 1 is la side view, in section, of a dual packer utilizing the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a side view, partally `in section, showing a second type of stinger which may be used with the dual packer of the present invention,

FIGURE 3 is a third type of stinger which may be used with the packer 4of the present invention,

FIGURE 4 is Ia side view, partiallly in section, of a fourth type of stinger which may be used with the dual packer of the present invention,

FIGURE 5 is a top view, in section, of the `dual packer of .the present invention with a stinger as shown in FIG- URE 4 attached thereto,

FIGURE 6 is a tifth type of stinger which may be used with the dual packer of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is la sixth type of stinger which may be used with the dual packer of the present invention,

FIGURE 8 is a top view, in section, of the dual packer of the present invention showing a stinger as in FIGURE 7 attached thereto, and

FIGURE 9 is a lside view, in section, of a dual packer utilizing the present invention for both strings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIGURE 1, a preferred embodiment of the dual packer is shown `and is generally indicated by the numeral 10. In this figure, only the upper portion of the packer is shown, lthe packing gland 12 rbeing partially `shown at the lower end of the figure. Two passageways, 14 and 16, extend through the packer yfor connection to the long string and the short string, respectively. The passageway 14 for the long string is formed 'by a cylindrical Imember or pipe. The long string 18 is attached to the top of the cylindrical member 14 'by conventional latching means such Ias the threads 22 and the locking screws 24.

The stinger `for the short string (not shown) connects to the second passageway 16. The passageway 16 communicates with a cylindrical member 26, which cylindrical member forms the remainder of the passageway for the communication of the short str-ing to the upper production level.

Discussing the passageway 16 in greater detail, it has a shoulder 28 for mating with a like shoulder on the short string stinger. Below this shoulder is located opposed openings 30, only one of which is shown in FIGURE l and this being in broken lines. Located below the openings 30 are right-hand threads 32, and below the threads 32 is an annular groove 34.

The stinger used to attach the short string is normally comprised of three sections, an upper section 36, a sealing member 38, and a lower section 40. The lower section is attached to the upper section by means of the threads 42 and locking nut 44. The function of the sealing member 38 is, of course, to form a seal between the stinger and the interior walls of the passageway 16. The mating shoulder 46 on the lower portion 40 of the stinger will abut against the shoulder 28 in the packer passageway.

One means of attachment that may be utilized in the above-discussed passageway of the present invention is a stinger carrying a collet. Such a stinger is shown in FIG- URE l in its connected position. Located at the lower l end of the lower portion 40 of the stinger is the collet 48,

which is formed of axially extending strips 50 formed by axially extending slots 52. Protruding portions 54 are located on each of the strips 50, and have a gradual slope 56 on their lowermost edges and a relatively steeper slope 58 on their upper edges.

Due to the slot-s 52, the strips 50 are substantially more exible than the remaining portions of the stinger. Accordingly, when the stinger is inserted into the passageway 16, contact by the gradually sloped leading edge 56 with the sidewalls of the passageway will cause the strips 50 to bend inwardly, thus allowing the passage of the stinger through the passageway 16 until the shoulder 46 contacts the shoulder 28. At this point, the protuberances 54 mate with the annular slot 34, whereby the strips 50 are allowed to resume their normal position, as shown in FIGURE 1.

As can be seen, the stinger is now locked into position into the packer due to the engagement of the abutments S4 and annular slot 34. They may, however, be disengaged by an upward force on the stinger of sufficient magnitude to canse the strips 50 to once again bend inwardly, freeing the abutments from the slot 34. Due to the steeper slope 58 on the abutments, however, a substantial force will be required, -thus preventing accidental disconnection of the stinger from the packer.

Turning now to FIGURE 2, a second embodiment of a stinger which may be used with the present invention is shown. This embodiment, as with all of the embodiments discussed herein, utilizes the same upper portion 36 and sealing member 38. Accordingly, no further discussion of these portions will be deemed necessary. Accordingly, all further discussion will be 4directed to only the lower portion 40 and the connecting means. FIGURE 2 does disclose, however, the threads 56 located at the top of the upper portion 36, which threads are used to connect the stinger to the short string.

The connecting means used on the stinger of FIGURE 2 is once again a collet, and comprised of strips 59, having `axially extending slots 60 located therebetween. Threads 62 are located on the strips 59 in place of the protuberances 54. The threads 62 are for engagement with the threads 32 located in the passageway 16 of the stinger (see FIGURE l).

In operation, the use of the stinger of FIGURE 2 allows one to simply force the stinger into locking engagement due to the fact that contact by the threads 62 with the threads 32 will force the strips 59 inwardly, as with the collet discussed in FIGURE 1. Therefore, it may be forced into the passageway until the shoulder 46 contacts the shoulder 28. This stinger may be disengaged from the packer 10 by rotation of the stinger to unscrew the stinger from its threaded engagement with threads 32. This type of latching arrangement, of course, offers the advantage of being capable of connection to the packer without requiring rotation, thereby eliminating the possibility of unscrewing or loosening other joints. It is to be understood that, due to the location of the threads 32 above the `annular passageway 34, the threads 62 must be located closer to the shoulder 46 than was the case with the protuberances 54 of the irst discussed stinger.

Turning now to FIGURE 3, a third embodiment of a stinger is shown which may be used with the present invention. The lower portion 40 of this stinger carries right-hand threads 64 -for threaded engagement with the threads 32 in the stinger passageway. As will be readily understood, this stinger may be inserted into the passageway and rotated, whereby it will engage the threads 32. Reverse rotation will, of course, unscrew this stinger and disengage it from the dual packer.

Turning now to FIGURE 4, a fourth ty-pe of stinger is shown. This stinger incorporates a J -latch which is made up of two I-shaped members 66 and 68 having sloped edges 70 and upstanding locking members 72. The I- shaped member 66 is broken into two positions due to the partial section view. Pins 74 are screwed into the opposed openings 30 in the packer and, as is best seen in FIGURE 5, a portion of these extend into the passageway 16.

To utilize this embodiment, the stinger is inserted into the passageway until the sloping edges 70 of the I -shaped latching members 66 and 68 contact the portion of pins 72 extending into the passageway. The pins will guide the J -shaped elements beyond the latching portions 72. In this manner, the pins will be interlocked with the I-shaped members and the portions 72 will prevent disengagement. Disengagement may be achieved, however, by rotation of the stinger in a right-hand manner whereby the pins 74 will pass over the tops of the portions 72, thus allowing the stinger to be withdrawn. The advantage, of course, in using a I -latch is that it may be connected or disconnected simply by a quarter-turn of the string. Furthermore, little force is exerted on the packer and connected apparatus when attaching or disengagng a I -latch unlike, for example, a threaded engagement, which force would tend to undo other joints.

The stinger shown in FIGURE 6 is still another embodiment that may be used with the present invention. No latching means is carried below the shoulder 46 of this embodiment, which is used for telescopic connection with the packer. Accordingly, the stinger is simply inserted into the passageway 16 until shoulder 46 contacts shoulder 28. Pressure must be maintained on the short string when this embodiment is used due to the fact that there is no means utilized to prevent disengagement.

'During now to FIGURE 7 the nal type of stringer disclosed herein that may be used with the present invention is shown. Here, the lower portion 40 has no shoulder 46 as with t-he previous embodiments. An annular groove 76 extends around the lower portion 40 to receive the pins 74, which in this instance are shear pins. The action of the shear pins against the sides of the groove 76 prevent displacement of the stinger. For this reason, the positioning provided by the shoulder 46 in the previous embodiments is not neccessary. As will be readily understood by one skilled in this art, this embodiment must be connected to the packer prior to the lowering of the packer into the well. Since the pins 74 is this embodiment are shear pins, the stinker may be disengaged and removed from the packer by an upward force exerted on the stinger. This force will result in the shearing of the portion of pins 74 that extend into the groove 76.

Turning now to FIGURE 9, we will discuss the dual packer as moded to use the present invention for both the long string and the short string. The arrangement of parts and the configuration of the individual stingers and of the passageways within the packer are somewhat different from the previously described embodiment, as will be explained. The various attaching means are, however, the same and have been indicated by the same reference numerals. As with the last embodiment, the stinger or the long string is on the left-hand side as viewed in FIG- URE 8, and for the short string, on the right hand side.

These Stingers are made up of essentially two portions, a lower portion 80 and an upper portion 82. As before, they are connected by means of threads 42 and lock nuts 44. The upper portions have internally threaded coupling portions (not shown) for attachment to their respective strings. A shoulder 84 is also located on the upper portion of the stingers. This shoulder mates with a corresponding shoulder 86 on the dual packer 10. These shoulders 84 and 86 function in the same manner as did the shoulders 46 and 28 of the embodiment of FIGURE l. Packing members 88 are also located on the upper portion to provide a fluid tight seal with the dual packer 10. These packing members 88 replaced the third stinger element in the embodiment of FIGURE 1, which was the sealing member 38.

The lower portions of the stingers utilized in FIGURE 9 are comprised of a collet 48 which is the same, as far as the connecting means is concerned, as that disclosed in FIGURE l. The collet 48 thas protruding portions 54 which engage the annular groove 34 as has been previously discussed. This collet portion, however, has a tapered end as at 90, as compared to the flat end portion of the collet of FIGURE l. This, of course, will not aiect the coupling means. Since the dual packer 10 of FIG- URE 9 has all of the coupling means disclosed with regard to the dual packer shown in FIGURE 1, all the various types of Stingers discussed previously may be used in either of its passageways, the connecting and disconnecting steps being the same as those discussed previously.

Accordingly, the problem of matching stinger with packer has been obviated to a great extent. By use of a packer futilizing the present invention, one need merely select the type of stinger that suits his immediate purposes without worry as to a matching packer. Since the various types of Stingers may be used interchangeably with the packers disclosed herein, great savings to users of the packers are realized. The packer may be positioned in the well and completion procedures may be changed as desired, using any of the other above-discussed Stingers merely by disengaging the stinger, changing the stinger type, and reengaging with the positioned packer. There is no need to change the packer as would be the case with many prior art devices. This is, of course, a valuable benefit due to the fact that completion procedures are frequently changed. Furthermore, by use of the present invention, equipment and spare part cost will be considerably reduced, while giving even greater versatility. Furthermore, the present invention is both simply and economically manufactured and used. It is, of course, understood that in certain of the embodiments, the attaching means on the packer passageway and stinger may be reversed, i.e., in the shear pin and J-latch arrangement, the pins may be Ilocated on the stinger rather than the packer passageway.

The present invention is, therefore, well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the ends and advantages mentioned at the outset, as well as others inherent therein. While the presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the detail of construction and the combination, shape, size and arrangement of parts may be restorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a dual packer for use with a long string and a Vshort string the improvement comprising:

a plurality of means on said packer for attachment of at least one of said strings including,

a stinger on said one string,

a passageway in the packer for receiving said stinger wlhereby said one string may be telescopically attached to the packer,

an annular slot extending around said passageway for the reception of a collet carried by the stinger,

at least two opposed openings in the passageway for reception of pins for the stinger and a J- latch carried by the stinger, and

threads in the passageway for threaded engagement of the stinger.

2. In a dual packer for fuse with a long string and a short string, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of means for attaching the short string to the packer, including,

a passageway for telescopically receiving the slhort string, whereby the short string may be telescopically attached to the packer,

right-hand threads in the passageway for threaded engagement of the short string,

two opposed openings in the passageway for the reception of pins for connection to one of the short string and a I-latch on the short string, and

recesses in the passageway for the reception of a collet.

3. A dual packer for ruse with a long string and a short string, including:

a plurality of means for attaching the strings to the packer including,

a passageway of each of said strings for telescopingly receiving the strings,

threads in each of the passageways for threaded engagement of the strings,

two opposed openings in each of the passageways for the reception of pins for connection to one of the respective strings and a J-latc1h on the respective strings, and

recesses in each of the passageways for the reception of a collet attached to the respective strings.

4. In a dual packer having seal means and anchor means and having a plurality of tubing strings in which the packer includes a plurality of passageways each of which receives a string, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of attachment means in each of said passageways for attachment of each of said strings to said packer, one of said attachment means in each of said passageways being actuated by rotatable movement and another of said attachment means in each of said passageways being actuated by longitudinal movement.

5. In a dual packer having seal means and anchor means and having dual passageways for connection to a rst and second string, the improvement in a plurality of connecting means in one of said passageways for attachment to one of said strings comprising:

an annular `slot extending around said one passageway for receiving a collet carried by said one string, and

two opposed openings in the passageway for receiving pins for connection to one of said string and a J- latch carried by said string.

6. In a dual packer having seal means and anchor means and having dual passageways for connection to a irst and second string, the improvement in a plurality of connecting means in one of said passageways or attachment to one of said strings comprising:

an annular slot extending around said one passageway for receiving a collet carried by said one string, and

threads in the passageway for threadably engaging threads on the one string.

7 8 7. In a dual packer having seal means and anchor References Cited means and having dual passageways for connection to UNITED STATES PATENTS a rst and second string, the improvement in a plurality of 3 136 569 6/1964 Bigelow 166 189 connecting means in one of said passageways for attach- 31245;;129 4/1966 Brown n 166 240 ment t0 one of said strings comprising: 5 3:37016 51 2/1968 Brown 156 ..1g9

two opposed openings in the passageway for receiving pins for connection to one of said strings and a J-latch JAMES A- LEPPINK, Primary Examiner carried by said string, and

threads in the passageway for threadably engaging '10 U'S' C1' XR' threads on said string. 166.240 

